Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3

>>David Carnoy: Hi, I'm David Carnoy and I'm here today with Josh Goldman, one of our digital photo editors. Why don't you tell us what you have today for us, Josh. >>Josh Goldman: Today I have the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3. It's a 14-megapixel ultracompact camera. >>David Carnoy: So, this runs for around $230 list price but you can get it for around $180 online. Does that make it a semi-affordable camera? >>Josh Goldman: It's affordable. Usually anything below $200 is a good price point for most consumers especially for a camera like this which is pretty much an upgrade from the camera that's in your cell phone. >>David Carnoy: So, what distinguishes itself from other cameras at this price class? >>Josh Goldman: So, for starters it's got a quick startup thanks to this slide-down lens cover in front and then on back is this large 3-inch touch screen; so, it's tough to find a touch screen on a camera that's priced this low. >>David Carnoy: So, you didn't give this a rave review. Why don't you hit on a couple of points that may give you pause to buy this camera? >>Josh Goldman: Okay, well, first of all while the camera does startup quickly, the rest of the times for shooting performance are pretty average. On top of that, the touch screen itself isn't all that responsive especially if you've gotten use to a touch screen on something like an iPhone or another smartphone. Also, despite its 14 megapixels, the image quality is just okay. >>David Carnoy: Alright, since you're saying the touch screen is only okay, is there another camera in the Panasonic line that you recommend over this one? >>Josh Goldman: Panasonic actually has a similar model almost identical to this one, it's called the FP1 and it loses the touch screen so it's a little bit less expensive and it also goes down from 14 megapixels to 12 megapixels so the images aren't as large and you're paying a little less for it but the image quality is probably going to be about the same. >>David Carnoy: Alright, thanks a lot Josh. That is the Panasonic DMC-FP3. I'm David Carnoy and that is Josh Goldman.